A letter of thanks from a English camp student

To whom that helped me,

I am writing this letter to show my appreciation to all of you who helped me. Thank you so much for helping me to come to the 2009 English Summer Camp! Without your help, I would not be so happy as I am now!

I had been wanting to come to this Summer camp since my freshmen year when I heard about it. Unfortunately, I had not been able to make it due to different reasons. Then it came to this summer, my last chance in my college year to attend this summer camp. I was very excited when Mrs J asked if I wanted to attend because I really wanted to and this was my last chance. But I did not have enough money and it was only one month before the summer camp. I told Mrs J that I would find a part time job and work really hard to save money to go. Mrs J was very happy and she encouraged me a lot. However, I only got very little money when it was only 3 days before the closing date of registration for the summer camp. I was both very disappointed and upset because I thought I was going to miss the last chance….Then Mrs J came and brought good news. She said that the camp organizers had sponsors who would like to help students like me who want to learn English yet couldn’t afford the fee. And she already signed my name up for the sponsorship. I was both thankful and excited to hear such a great news! And it was such a great opportunity for me! Yet the whole thing did not go smoothly. It was a long wait. During this waiting time, I struggled. I thought maybe something happened and I couldn’t go anymore. I was not sure if I should go as planned to another major city to do my internship since I couldn’t attend the summer camp. But I finally decided to stay and wait. It was a long and difficult wait, but it was worth it. At last, I received confirmation that I got to attend Camp! And I was so glad that I stayed and waited!!

Having been through so much, I finally came to the summer camp I had dreamed of coming for 3 years. My everyday at the camp was happy and fulfilling. We learned English skills and knowledge about English in class in a very easy and free atmosphere. I never knew in my life that one can have so much fun while studying. On the playground, we played games under the sun. Though becoming sweaty and out of breath, we were happy; and we were happy no matter we won or not because we enjoyed the games anyway and because we understood that friendship is far more important than winning the game.

In this camp, everyone was brave to speak English. We knew that we did not speak very well, but no one here laughed at us and the teachers were even happy to talk to me! They told me my mistake nicely and patiently corrected my pronunciation, wrong grammar and wrong usage of words. As my time in summer camp went by, my English was getting better and better by making mistakes and been corrected. I was no longer the one that had stayed in the corner! On the contrary, you can see me wherever there were foreigners! And whenever you see me, you will hear my- couldn’t-help –but-excited-voices as if I want to show my happiness that had been suppressed over the past years.

I spent two happy and fulfilling weeks in summer camp with my new friends that I met here! We worked hard and kept high spirit everyday! Everyday that I spent here is precious to me.
But there was one thing that happened here that I will never ever forget for my whole life! It was this event that made me know the greatest love on this earth and it was this event that made me understand the meaning and value of life. This event made me know God’s love!

I heard about Christianity and knew Christians since my freshmen year. However, I was always wandering outside the door.

But everything changed since I came to summer camp! I was very happy the first week of summer camp. Everyone knew that I was happy; outgoing and liked to talk to everyone I met. I was happy all the time even when I had my ankle hurt. However, the second week I began to feel bothered .i would feel like crying for no reason. I felt that there was something in my heart that won’t go away. I couldn’t focus on class and could not even participate well in games. I needed help. I knew that I need to find someone to help me ! So I talked to Mrs J and she told me about God’s love and then a Chinese Christian came and shared with me about God’s salvation. Also Mrs M showed me the Bible and told me that I should look to God. After all these conversations, I felt that my heart was enlightened! All of a sudden, I just felt free, I was no longer bothered! It was then that I realized that it was all His grace! He brought me here and He revealed Himself to me. After three years of wandering outside the door, I am finally in!

Due to all that I gained in the summer camp, I became more confident and strong. And I know that I should love each person in this world because God loves me. I will be braver to face the difficulties and challenges in my life because I know that I am no longer alone, because God’s love will always be with me until eternity!

Again, I want to say thanks to Mrs M who brought me into God’s kingdom and Mrs J who helped me a lot with coming to summer camp. Thanks again to the people who sponsored me to join summer camp. I would not have enjoyed all these blessings without your love and kindness. And thank God for giving me such a wonderful everlasting life.

S.W.